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Guys and Dolls Overview:

Guys and Dolls (1955) was a Musical - Romance Film directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and produced by Samuel Goldwyn.

The film was based on the short story The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown written by Damon Runyon published in Collier's and as a Musical (Jan 28, 1933 (magazine) and Nov 24, 1950 - Nov 28, 1953 (play performed at 46th Street Theatre, NY)).

SYNOPSIS

Brando's bold musical debut based on the Damon Runyon comedy - adapted by director Mankiewicz - about gamblers and a Salvation Army lass. Sky Masterson (Brando), veteran gambler, takes a bet from Sinatra that he can win the heart of a "soldier" in the Salvation Army. The Loesser tunes include "Luck Be a Lady," and Blaine, Kaye, Pully, and Silver reprise their Broadway roles.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Academy Awards 1955 --- Ceremony Number 28 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Oliver Smith, Joseph C. Wright; Set Decoration: Howard BristolNominated
Best CinematographyHarry StradlingNominated
Best Costume DesignIrene SharaffNominated
Best Music - ScoringJay Blackton, Cyril J. MockridgeNominated
See More Oscar Winners

Guys and Dolls BlogHub Articles:

Guys and Dolls (1955)

By Beatrice on Feb 23, 2016 From Flickers in Time

Guys and Dolls Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz Written by Joseph L. Mankiewicz from the play by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows and stories by Damon Runyon 1955/USA The Samuel Goldwyn Company Repeat viewing/Netflix rental #309 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Sky Masterson: Oh, yeah. Nine ... Read full article

Eles e Elas / Guys and Dolls (1955)

By Lê on Dec 11, 2015 From Critica Retro

Eles e Elas / Guys and Dolls (1955) Com mil dólares, Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra) pode resolver todos os seus problemas, que envolvem dívidas, jogos ilegais e um noivado que já dura 14 anos. Ele vê sua grande oportunidade de conseguir o dinheiro na figura de Sky Masterson (Marlon Bran... Read full article

Guys and Dolls (1955)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Aug 4, 2014 From 4 Star Films

Headlining this film are Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra as Sky Masterson and Nathan Detroit respectively. Both men are high stakes gamblers and things have heated up in town because the police are trying to crack down on a floating crap game. That’s not the only thing that turns hot though. M... Read full article

Guys and Dolls (1955)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Aug 4, 2014 From 4 Star Films

Headlining this film are Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra as Sky Masterson and Nathan Detroit respectively. Both men are high stakes gamblers and things have heated up in town because the police are trying to crack down on a floating crap game. That’s not the only thing that turns hot though. M... Read full article

Kristen Recasts the Classics: Guys and Dolls

on Apr 26, 2013 From Journeys in Classic Film

I started this column looking at the “brilliant” idea Hollywood has to remake Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca.  I figured I’d have a few months, at least, before the next round of studio execs picking random old movie titles out of a hat would happen.  Alas, it was not to be.  ... Read full article

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Guys and Dolls Quotes:

Miss Adelaide: Nathan, no matter how terrible a fellow seems, you can never be sure that some girl won't go for him. Take us.
Nathan Detroit: Still, you will admit that Mindy's cheesecake is the greatest alive.
Sky Masterson: Gladly. Furthermore, I am quite partial to Mindy's cheesecake.
Sky Masterson: [after Sarah slaps him] Well, that makes it necessary for me to stop in again. Matthew 5:39. Don't bother looking it up, it's the bit about the other cheek.
Nathan Detroit: [to Nicely and Benny] Take Adelaide to the Hot Box. In a cab.
Miss Adelaide: But it's only a couple of blocks.
Nathan Detroit: The streets are covered with tourists and I do not want you molested.
Sky Masterson: You know, I imagine there's only one thing that's been in as many different hotel rooms as I have: the Gideon Bible. Don't tangle with me on the Good Book. I must've read it through at least a dozen times.
Sergeant Sarah Brown: If all that was no help to you...
See More Quotes from Guys and Dolls
Guys and Dolls Facts
Sky Masterson's real name is Obadiah.
Very few contractions - 'aren't' for 'are not' or 'wouldn't' for 'would not', for example - are used in the dialogue in this movie (the songs are a different story). While it makes the language seem stilted and excessively formal at times, this is true to the writings of Damon Runyon. He also eschewed the use of contractions, and this characteristic gave his works a very recognizable style.
The songs "A Woman in Love", "Pet Me Poppa" and "Adelaide" were written for the screen version and were not in the original Broadway show. On Broadway, Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra) doesn't sing in the title song. That was added for the film to increase Sinatra's singing part.
The song "A Woman in Love" was not in the original show and was written for the movie. It became a hit record for several recording artists.
Gene Kelly was sought for the role of Sky Masterson, but MGM refused to loan Kelly to Goldwyn.
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